Mac malware: FlashBack is [nearly] dead

24 September 20121,331 viewsNo Comment

Earlier this year, a FlashBack trojan infected more than 600,000 Macs, creating the largest OS X-powered botnet in history — Mac malware run amok. Though they acted slowly, Apple eventually got ahead of the problem by issuing Java updates by addressed the security vulnerabilities used and by also beefing OS X’ integrated security functionality.

Now, the computer security analysts at ESET have said they have stopped monitoring the FlashBack trojan because it is functionality extinct and, knock on wood, no longer a threat.

MacFixIt’s Topher Kessler notes that Flashback first appeared as a fake Adobe Flash Player installer and morphed over the ensuring months into a drive-by attack that ultimately to that big, nasty and ultimately unprofitable botnet.

That said, if you haven’t updated Java on your Mac recently (i.e. days, weeks, months years?), then by all means avail yourself of the links below, which will get you up to speed.